Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus measures the distance between the image forming apparatus and an object located in the periphery of the image forming apparatus each predetermined amount of time. Then, whether or not the object is a human is detected on the basis of the measured distance and a moving amount of the object each predetermined amount of time. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus controls the power supply state of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the result of the human detection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatusincluding a sensor that detects an approaching human, a control methodthereof, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

Image forming apparatuses including human detecting sensors that detecta human approaching the image forming apparatus (a user) are known. Forexample, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-114499 proposes a techniquein which a sensor provided in an image forming apparatus detects a humanapproaching the image forming apparatus. It is then determined that thehuman has stopped in front of the image forming apparatus, and the imageforming apparatus is returned from a power-saving state. According tothis image forming apparatus, it is determined that the human hasstopped in front of the image forming apparatus, and the image formingapparatus is returned from the power-saving state, in the case where thehuman can no longer be detected by a pyroelectric sensor capable ofdetecting human movement.

However, this conventional technique poses the following problem.According to the conventional technique, the image forming apparatus isreturned from the power-saving state upon it being determined that anoperator of the image forming apparatus has stopped in front of theapparatus. As such, it is necessary for the operator in front of theapparatus to wait in front of the apparatus until the image formingapparatus is returned from the power-saving state. However, it is alsonecessary to consider erroneous detections made by human detectingsensors. For example, increasing the sensitivity of a human detectingsensor increases the likelihood of erroneous returns caused by erroneousdetections, whereas reducing the sensitivity of the human detectingsensor makes it difficult to detect a human.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention enables realization of a system that reduceserroneous returns from a power-saving state caused by erroneousdetections of humans by changing a condition for detecting that a humanis approaching an apparatus depending on a distance between the humanand the apparatus.

One aspect of the present invention provides an information processingapparatus having a plurality of power states including at least a firstpower state in which a supply of power to a device is stopped and asecond power state in which power is supplied to the device, theapparatus comprising: a human detecting sensor; a setting unitconfigured to set a sensitivity of the human detecting sensor; and acontrol unit configured to: cause the information processing apparatusto transition from the first power state to the second power state inthe case where a first sensitivity has been set by the setting unit andit has been determined that a human is in a predetermined area on thebasis of a detection result from the human detecting sensor; cause theinformation processing apparatus to transition from the first powerstate to the second power state in the case where a second sensitivityhas been set by the setting unit and it has been determined that a humanis in the predetermined area on the basis of a detection result from thehuman detecting sensor; and cause the information processing apparatusto transition from the first power state to the second power state inthe case where the second sensitivity has been set by the setting unitand it has been determined, on the basis of the detection result fromthe human detecting sensor, that a human in an area outside thepredetermined area has approached the information processing apparatusby greater than or equal to a predetermined moving amount in apredetermined amount of time.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a control method of aninformation processing apparatus having a plurality of power states,including at least a first power state in which a supply of power to adevice is stopped and a second power state in which power is supplied tothe device, and including a human detecting sensor, the methodcomprising: setting a sensitivity of the human detecting sensor; andcarrying out control such that: the information processing apparatustransitions from the first power state to the second power state in thecase where a first sensitivity has been set in the step of setting andit has been determined that a human is in a predetermined area on thebasis of a detection result from the human detecting sensor; theinformation processing apparatus transitions from the first power stateto the second power state in the case where a second sensitivity hasbeen set in the step of setting and it has been determined that a humanis in the predetermined area on the basis of a detection result from thehuman detecting sensor; and the information processing apparatustransitions from the first power state to the second power state in thecase where the second sensitivity has been set in the step of settingand it has been determined, on the basis of the detection result fromthe human detecting sensor, that a human in an area outside thepredetermined area has approached the information processing apparatusby greater than or equal to a predetermined moving amount in apredetermined amount of time.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causesa computer to execute a control method of an information processingapparatus having a plurality of power states, including at least a firstpower state in which a supply of power to a device is stopped and asecond power state in which power is supplied to the device, andincluding a human detecting sensor, the method comprising: setting asensitivity of the human detecting sensor; and carrying out control suchthat: the information processing apparatus transitions from the firstpower state to the second power state in the case where a firstsensitivity has been set in the step of setting and it has beendetermined that a human is in a predetermined area on the basis of adetection result from the human detecting sensor; the informationprocessing apparatus transitions from the first power state to thesecond power state in the case where a second sensitivity has been setin the step of setting and it has been determined that a human is in thepredetermined area on the basis of a detection result from the humandetecting sensor; and the information processing apparatus transitionsfrom the first power state to the second power state in the case wherethe second sensitivity has been set in the step of setting and it hasbeen determined, on the basis of the detection result from the humandetecting sensor, that a human in an area outside the predetermined areahas approached the information processing apparatus by greater than orequal to a predetermined moving amount in a predetermined amount oftime.

Further features of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are external views of an image forming apparatusaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware of the image formingapparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a power source circuit diagram of the image forming apparatusaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a state transition chart of the image forming apparatusaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus in astandby state according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus in apower-saving state according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus in alow-noise return state according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus in adisplay unit return state according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams illustrating, in detail, a consoleunit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating power control transitions depending ona distance between the image forming apparatus and an operator accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of power control in the imageforming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a human approaching theimage forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating moving amount determination values setin accordance with detected distances according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the setting of a moving amountdetermination value in accordance with a measured distance according toan embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart pertaining to human detection using a movingamount determination value according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a human approaching theimage forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a human approaching theimage forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the changing of a moving amountdetermination value in accordance with a change in sensitivity accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display unit with respect tochanging the sensitivity of human detection according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating parameters pertaining to changing thesensitivity of human detection according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the changing of a moving amountdetermination value in accordance with a change in sensitivity of humandetection according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the relativearrangement of the components, the numerical expressions, and numericalvalues set forth in the embodiments do not limit the scope of thepresent invention unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

First Embodiment

Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. First, the configuration of an information processingapparatus according to the present embodiment will be described withreference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In the present embodiment, an imageforming apparatus will be described as an example of the informationprocessing apparatus. FIG. 1A is a side view of an image formingapparatus 100, and FIG. 1B is a bird's-eye view of the image formingapparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunctionperipheral (MFP) having multiple functions such as a printing function,a scanner function, a copy function, and a fax function.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes an ultrasonic sensor 15 fordetecting a human approaching the image forming apparatus 100. In thecase where the ultrasonic sensor 15 has detected a human approaching theimage forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 returnsfrom a power-saving state, in which a low amount of power is consumed,to a standby state, in which any of the aforementioned functions can beused.

The ultrasonic sensor 15 outputs an inaudible 40 KHz pulse wave andreceives a reflected wave from that pulse wave, reflected by an objectlocated in the periphery of the image forming apparatus 100. Theultrasonic sensor 15 can measure a distance between the image formingapparatus 100 and the object on the basis of the time from when thepulse wave is output to when the reflected wave is received. Themeasurement is carried out every predetermined amount of time, and atransition in the distance between the image forming apparatus 100 andthe object can be confirmed every amount of time. Although an example inwhich the ultrasonic sensor 15 is used is described here, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. Any sensor capable of detecting ahuman may be used. For example, an infrared light-receiving sensor thatreceives infrared light radiated from a human may be used.Alternatively, an electrostatic capacitance sensor that measures adistance between the sensor and a target object on the basis ofelectrostatic capacitance between the sensor and the target object maybe used. Furthermore, an infrared array sensor in which infraredlight-receiving units are arranged in a line or in a matrix may be used.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the ultrasonic sensor 15 has afan-shaped detection area A1. Note that the ultrasonic sensor 15 may bearranged such that the pulse waves are output in the upward direction inorder to detect humans without being affected by obstacles such ascomputers placed on desks.

Hardware Configuration

Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 willbe described with reference to FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, theimage forming apparatus 100 includes a controller 11 that controls theoperations of the image forming apparatus 100 as a whole, a console unit12, a scanner unit 13, a printer unit 14, and the ultrasonic sensor 15.

The controller 11 is communicatively connected to the console unit 12,the scanner unit 13, and the printer unit 14. The controller 11 includesa CPU 301, RAM 302, ROM 303, a power control unit 304, an input/outputI/F 305, and a LAN controller 306. The CPU 301, the RAM 302, the ROM303, the power control unit 304, the input/output I/F 305, and the LANcontroller 306 are connected to a system bus 307. The controller 11 alsoincludes an HDD 308, an image processing unit 309, a scanner I/F 310,and a printer I/F 311. The HDD 308, the image processing unit 309, thescanner I/F 310, and the printer I/F 311 are connected to an image bus312.

The CPU 301 carries out the overall control of access with variousconnected devices on the basis of control programs and the like storedin the ROM 303, and carries out the overall control of various processesexecuted by the controller 11. The RAM 302 is system work memory usedfor operations of the CPU 301. The RAM 302 is a memory for temporarilystoring image data. A boot program for the apparatus and so on arestored in the ROM 303.

The power control unit 304 controls the supply of power to the units inthe image forming apparatus 100. The power control unit 304 will bedescribed in detail later. The input/output I/F 305 is an interface unitfor connecting the system bus 307 and the console unit 12. Theinput/output I/F 305 accepts image data for display in the console unit12 from the system bus 307 and outputs that image data to the consoleunit 12, and outputs information input through the console unit 12 tothe system bus 307. The LAN controller 306 sends and receivesinformation to and from an external apparatus 20 connected to a network30.

The HDD 308 is a hard disk drive that stores system software, imagedata, and so on. The image processing unit 309 is a unit for carryingout image processing. The image processing unit 309 reads out image datastored in the RAM 302 and carries out image processing such as enlargingand reducing JPEG or JBIG files, color adjustment, and so on. Thescanner I/F 310 is an interface unit for communication between thescanner unit 13 and a scanner control unit 331. The printer I/F 311 isan interface unit for communication between the printer unit 14 and aprinter control unit 341. The image bus 312 is a transmission path forexchanging image data, and is constituted of a bus such as a PCI bus, anIEEE 1394 bus, or the like.

The scanner unit 13 generates image data by optically reading an imagefrom an original document, and includes the scanner control unit 331 anda scanner driving unit 332. The scanner driving unit 332 is a drivingunit for moving a scanning head that reads the original document, andincludes, for example, a driving unit for transporting the originaldocument to a scanning position. The scanner control unit 331 controlsthe operations of the scanner driving unit 332. The scanner control unit331 communicates with the CPU 301 to receive setting information set bya user for scanner processing, and controls the operations of thescanner driving unit 332 on the basis of that setting information.

The printer unit 14 forms an image on a recording medium (paper) throughan electrophotographic method, and includes the printer control unit 341and a printer driving unit 342. The printer driving unit 342 includes amotor that rotates a photosensitive drum (not illustrated), a mechanismunit for pressurizing a fixer, a heater, and so on. The printer controlunit 341 controls the operations of the printer driving unit 342. Theprinter control unit 341 communicates with the CPU 301 to receivesetting information set by a user for printing processing, and controlsthe operations of the printer driving unit 342 on the basis of thatsetting information.

Power Source Circuit

Next, a power source circuit diagram of the image forming apparatus 100will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The image forming apparatus100 includes a first power supply unit 501, a second power supply unit502, and a third power supply unit 503.

The first power supply unit 501 generates DC power at approximately 5.0V from AC power supplied via a plug P. The first power supply unit 501supplies the generated DC power to the LAN controller 306, the RAM 302,the ultrasonic sensor 15, the CPU 301, the ROM 303, and the HDD 308, aswell as a power-saving button 204 of the console unit 12 and amicrocomputer 203. The devices that receive the supply of power from thefirst power supply unit 501 will be collectively called “first powersupply system devices” hereinafter.

The second power supply unit 502 generates DC power at approximately12.0 V from AC power supplied via the plug P. The second power supplyunit 502 supplies the generated DC power to a display unit 201, theimage processing unit 309, the printer control unit 341, and the scannercontrol unit 331. The devices that receive the supply of power from thesecond power supply unit 502 will be collectively called “second powersupply system devices” hereinafter.

The third power supply unit 503 generates DC power at approximately 24.0V from AC power supplied via the plug P. The third power supply unit 503supplies the generated DC power to the printer driving unit 342 and thescanner driving unit 332. The devices that receive the supply of powerfrom the third power supply unit 503 will be collectively called “thirdpower supply system devices” hereinafter.

A see-saw switch 510 that is turned on or off in response to a useroperation is disposed between the first power supply unit 501 and thefirst power supply system devices. A relay switch 511 for supplying thepower generated by the first power supply unit 501 to the first powersupply system devices is disposed in parallel with the see-saw switch510. Power is supplied from the first power supply unit 501 to the firstpower supply system devices via the relay switch 511 even if the see-sawswitch 510 is turned off in response to a user operation.

The power control unit 304 is notified that the see-saw switch 510 hasbeen turned off by a signal A. In the case where the see-saw switch 510has been turned off, the power control unit 304 instructs the CPU 301 toexecute a shut-down process. The power control unit 304 turns the relayswitch 511 off upon the shut-down process being executed by the CPU 301.The image forming apparatus 100 is turned off as a result.

Meanwhile, a relay switch 512 that switches between allowing and cuttingoff the supply of power from the plug P to the second power supply unit502 is disposed between the plug P and the second power supply unit 502.Additionally, a relay switch 513 that switches between allowing andcutting off the supply of power from the plug P to the third powersupply unit 503 is disposed between the plug P and the third powersupply unit 503.

A switch 514 that switches between allowing and stopping the supply ofpower to the CPU 301, the ROM 303, and the HDD 308 is disposed betweenthe first power supply unit 501 and the CPU 301, the ROM 303, and theHDD 308. A switch 515 that switches between allowing and stopping thesupply of power to the scanner control unit 331 is disposed between thescanner control unit 331 and the second power supply unit 502. A switch516 that switches between allowing and stopping the supply of power tothe printer control unit 341 is disposed between the printer controlunit 341 and the second power supply unit 502. A switch 517 thatswitches between allowing and stopping the supply of power to thedisplay unit 201 of the console unit 12 is disposed between the displayunit 201 and the second power supply unit 502.

A switch 518 that switches between allowing and stopping the supply ofpower to the scanner driving unit 332 is disposed between the scannerdriving unit 332 and the third power supply unit 503. A switch 519 thatswitches between allowing and stopping the supply of power to theprinter driving unit 342 is disposed between the printer driving unit342 and the third power supply unit 503.

The power control unit 304 will be described in detail next. The powercontrol unit 304 is a logic circuit in which circuits can bereconfigured by changing the programming thereof. In the presentembodiment, the power control unit 304 is a Complex Programmable LogicDevice (CPLD). Here, the power control unit 304 detects a return factorfor returning the image forming apparatus 100 from a power-saving stateST4. Details of the power-saving state ST4 will be given later usingFIG. 4. The power control unit 304 carries out power control inaccordance with the detected return factor. The return factor includesthe following factors:

-   -   the see-saw switch 510 has changed from on to off    -   a specific packet (a print job, for example) has been received        from the external apparatus 20    -   a human has approached the image forming apparatus 100    -   a user has pressed the power-saving button 204

Signals A, P, Q, and R, which indicate the aforementioned returnfactors, are input into the power control unit 304. The signal Aindicates the state of the see-saw switch 510 (on or off). The signal Pindicates that the LAN controller 306 has received a specific packet (aprint job or the like) from the external apparatus 20. The signal Qindicates that the ultrasonic sensor 15 has detected an object such as ahuman. The signal R indicates that the user has pressed the power-savingbutton 204 of the console unit 12.

The power control unit 304 also outputs signals B, C, D, E, F, G, H, andI (controls the logic of the signals B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I). Thesignal B switches the relay switch 511 on or off. The signal C switchesthe relay switches 512 and 513 on or off. The signal D switches theswitch 514 on or off. The signal E switches the switch 515 on or off.The signal F switches the switch 516 on or off. The signal G switchesthe switch 517 on or off. The signal H switches the switch 518 on oroff. The signal I switches the switch 519 on or off.

The logic of the signal A changes to low level upon the see-saw switch510 being turned off in response to a user operation. Upon the logic ofthe signal A changing to low level, the power control unit 304 instructsthe CPU 301 to shut down the image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 301executes the shut-down process in accordance with this instruction. Thepower control unit 304 also controls the signal B and the signal C suchthat the relay switches 511, 512, and 513 are turned off. As a result,the image forming apparatus 100 can be turned off as appropriate afterthe shut-down process.

The logic of the signal P changes to hi level upon the LAN controller306 receiving a specific packet (a print job) from the externalapparatus 20. Upon the logic of the signal P changing to hi level, thepower control unit 304 controls the signal C, the signal D, the signalF, and the signal I such that the relay switches 512, 513, 514, 516, and519 turn on. As a result, the printer unit 14 executes printing on thebasis of the print job.

The logic of the signal Q changes to hi level in the case where theultrasonic sensor 15 has detected an object such as a human. Upon thelogic of the signal Q changing to hi level, the power control unit 304controls the signals C, D, E, F, H, and I such that the switches 512 to516, 518, and 519 turn on. Furthermore, in the case where the ultrasonicsensor 15 has detected an object such as a human, the power control unit304 changes the logic of signals Y and X to hi level. The display unit201 is lighted in the case where the ultrasonic sensor 15 has detected ahuman.

The signal X is a signal for switching between whether the scannercontrol unit 331 will start up and drive the scanner driving unit 332,or start up without driving the scanner driving unit 332. In the casewhere the logic of the signal X is hi level when power is supplied tothe scanner control unit 331, the scanner control unit 331 starts up thescanner unit 13 with the driving of the scanner driving unit 332remaining stopped (this is called a “low-noise startup” of the scannerunit 13 hereinafter). Meanwhile, in the case where the logic of thesignal X is low level when power is supplied to the scanner control unit331, the scanner control unit 331 drives the scanner driving unit 332and starts up the scanner unit 13.

Likewise, the signal Y is a signal for switching between whether theprinter control unit 341 will start up and drive the printer drivingunit 342, or start up without driving the printer driving unit 342. Inthe case where the logic of the signal Y is hi level when power issupplied to the printer control unit 341, the printer control unit 341starts up the printer unit 14 with the driving of the printer drivingunit 342 remaining stopped (this is called a “low-noise startup” of theprinter unit 14 hereinafter). Meanwhile, in the case where the logic ofthe signal Y is low level when power is supplied to the printer controlunit 341, the printer control unit 341 drives the printer driving unit342 and starts up the printer unit 14.

The logic of the signal R changes to hi level upon the user pressing thepower-saving button 204. Upon the logic of the signal R changing to hilevel, the power control unit 304 controls the signals C to I such thatthe relay switches 512 to 519 turn on. Additionally, the power controlunit 304 changes the logic of the signals Y and X to hi level in thecase where the power-saving button 204 has been pressed. Furthermore,the display unit 201 is lighted in the case where the power-savingbutton 204 has been pressed. Note that the switches 511 to 519 may beFETs.

State Transitions

Next, state transitions of the image forming apparatus 100 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4. As operating states, the imageforming apparatus 100 has a standby state (a first power supply state)ST1, a display unit return state (a fourth power supply state) ST2, alow-noise return state (a third power supply state) ST3, thepower-saving state (a second power supply state) ST4, and a power offstate ST5. The display unit return state ST2, the low-noise return stateST3, and the power-saving state ST4 are states in which the supply ofpower to loads included in the image forming apparatus 100 is partiallystopped.

The standby state ST1 is a state in which scanning operations of thescanner unit 13, printing operations of the printer unit 14, and so oncan be executed. In the case where the image forming apparatus 100 isnot used for a predetermined amount of time, such as the console unit 12not being operated for a predetermined amount of time and a job notbeing received from the external apparatus 20, while in the standbystate ST1, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions from the standbystate ST1 to the power-saving state ST4.

The power-saving state ST4 is a state in which less power is consumedthan in the standby state ST1. In the power-saving state ST4, power issupplied only to the devices necessary for returning from thepower-saving state ST4 (the ultrasonic sensor 15, the LAN controller306, and so on). In the case where the ultrasonic sensor 15 has detecteda human while in the power-saving state ST4, the image forming apparatus100 transitions to the low-noise return state ST3 or the display unitreturn state ST2, and resumes the supply of power to some of the loads.Whether to transition to ST3 or ST2 is determined in accordance withvariation in the distance in each detection time of the ultrasonicsensor 15.

In the low-noise return state ST3, the CPU 301, the image processingunit 309, and the HDD 308 of the controller 11, as well as the scannerunit 13 and the printer unit 14, are started up. Note that the printercontrol unit 341 and the scanner control unit 331 restrict the drivingof the printer driving unit 342 and the scanner driving unit 332. Assuch, the image forming apparatus 100 starts up quietly. As a result ofthis startup, the CPU 301, the image processing unit (ASIC) 308, a CPUof the scanner control unit 331, and a CPU of the printer control unit341 are initialized. In the case where a print job for causing theprinter unit 14 to execute printing has been received from the externalapparatus 20 while in the power-saving state ST4, the image formingapparatus 100 transitions to the standby state ST1.

Note that when the power-saving button 204 is pressed by the user whilein the power-saving state ST4, the state transitions to the display unitreturn state ST2, which will be described later. In the presentembodiment, it is assumed that the user has been detected by theultrasonic sensor 15 before the power-saving button 204 is pressed, andthus it is assumed that the power-saving button 204 will not be pressedwhile in the power-saving state ST4.

The state transitions to the display unit return state ST2, in which thedisplay unit 201 is lighted, upon the power-saving button 204 beingpressed while in the low-noise return state ST3. Accordingly, the usercan select functions of the image forming apparatus 100 through a mainmenu screen (a selection screen) 201 a (FIG. 9B) displayed in thedisplay unit 201.

In the case where a function of the image forming apparatus 100 has beenselected through the main menu screen 201 a displayed in the displayunit return state ST2, the state transitions to the standby state ST1,in which the selected function can be executed. For example, in the casewhere the printing function has been selected through the main menuscreen 201 a, the restriction on the driving of the printer driving unit342 is canceled and the printer driving unit 342 is driven.Additionally, in the case where the scanner function has been selectedthrough the main menu screen 201 a, the restriction on the driving ofthe scanner driving unit 332 is canceled and the scanner driving unit332 is driven. Finally, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions tothe power off state ST5 in the case where the see-saw switch 510 isswitched from on to off in response to a user operation.

Operating States

Next, detailed power supply states in the operating states describedabove will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5illustrates a power supply state in the standby state ST1. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, in the standby state ST1, the switches 510 to 519of the image forming apparatus 100 are on, and power is supplied to thevarious units of the image forming apparatus 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates a power supply state in the power-saving state ST4.As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the power-saving state ST4, power issupplied to only some of the first power supply system devices. In thepower-saving state ST4, the relay switch 511 for supplying the powergenerated by the first power supply unit 501 is on, but the otherswitches 512 to 519 are off. Accordingly, power is supplied to the powercontrol unit 304, the RAM 302, the LAN controller 306, the ultrasonicsensor 15, the power-saving button 204, and the microcomputer 203 in thepower-saving state ST4. Note that the microcomputer 203 may supply powerwhen the ultrasonic sensor 15 has detected a human.

FIG. 7 illustrates a power supply state in the low-noise return stateST3. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the low-noise return state ST3, poweris supplied to the CPU 301, the HDD 308, the ROM 303, the imageprocessing unit 309, the printer unit 14, and the scanner unit 13, inaddition to the devices to which power is supplied in the power-savingstate ST4. In other words, the switches aside from the relay switch 517are turned on. Note that the printer control unit 341 and the scannercontrol unit 331 restrict the driving of the printer driving unit 342and the scanner driving unit 332, respectively.

FIG. 8 illustrates a power supply state in the display unit return stateST2. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the display unit return state ST2,power is supplied to the display unit 201 in addition to the devices towhich power is supplied in the low-noise return state ST3. Although therelay switches 511 to 517 are turned on, the switches 518 to 519 areturned off. As a result, the display unit 201 can display various typesof information.

Console Unit and Screen Examples

Next, the console unit 12 and examples of screens displayed in theconsole unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C. Asillustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the console unit 12 includes the displayunit 201, buttons 202, and the microcomputer 203 (FIG. 3).

The display unit 201 displays various types of images. Specifically, themicrocomputer 203 functions as a display control unit, and the main menuscreen (selection screen) 201 a (FIG. 9B) for selecting the copyfunction, the printing function, the scanning function, or the like, isdisplayed in the display unit 201. Additionally, the microcomputer 203displays a setting screen 201 b (FIG. 9C) for executing the functionselected through the main menu screen 201 a in the display unit 201.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the display unit 201 is in a non-displaystate, in which no screen is displayed in the display unit 201, while inthe power off state ST5, the power-saving state ST4, and the low-noisereturn state ST3. This non-display state may be a state in which ascreen to be displayed in the display unit 201 is rendered but abacklight of the display unit 201 is off, or may be a state in which thedisplay unit 201 is off and no image is rendered in the display unit201. On the other hand, a state in which a screen is displayed in thedisplay unit 201, as illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9C, is called a“display state”.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the main menu screen 201 a includes a copyicon 211 for executing the copy function, a print icon 212 for executingthe printing function, and a scan icon 213 for executing the scannerfunction. Additionally, the main menu screen 201 a includes a saved fileusage icon 214 for using a file saved in the HDD 308, and a fax icon 215for executing the fax function. Furthermore, the main menu screen 201 aincludes an inbox icon 216 for confirming received emails, aninformation icon 217 for displaying various types of information, and soon.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, the setting screen 201 b includesa start button 218 for making an instruction to execute a selected job(“JOB B” is selected in the example illustrated in FIG. 9C).

The buttons 202 include a start key 206 for making executioninstructions such as starting copying, starting scanning, and so on. Thebuttons 202 also include the power-saving button 204. When the userpresses the power-saving button 204 while the image forming apparatus100 is in the standby state ST1, the image forming apparatus 100transitions to the power-saving state ST4. Meanwhile, when the userpresses the power-saving button 204 while the image forming apparatus100 is in the power-saving state ST4, the image forming apparatus 100transitions to the standby state ST1. The buttons 202 also include anumerical keypad 205 for inputting a number of copies or the like.

Power Control

Next, power control carried out in accordance with a distance betweenthe image forming apparatus 100 and an operator will be described withreference to FIG. 10. The upper section of FIG. 10 illustrates arelationship of the distance between the image forming apparatus 100 andthe operator, whereas the lower section of FIG. 10 illustrates the powersupply state of the image forming apparatus 100 in the case where theoperator is present in the position indicated in the upper section. Inthe lower section, the horizontal axis represents time, whereas thevertical axis represents blocks to which power is supplied. For example,in a state T1, power is supplied to the LAN controller, the RAM, theultrasonic sensor, the microcomputer, and the buttons.

In the state T1, in which a human is not present within the detectionarea A1 of the ultrasonic sensor 15, or a human was within the detectionarea A1 but was determined to be a passerby, the image forming apparatus100 stands by in the power-saving state ST4. Power is supplied only to alimited number of devices, such as the ultrasonic sensor 15, in thepower-saving state ST4. Specifically, in the power-saving state ST4,power is supplied to the LAN controller 306, the RAM 302, the ultrasonicsensor 15, the microcomputer 203, and the power-saving button 204.

A state T2 is a state in which the presence of a human has beenconfirmed in the detection area A1 of the ultrasonic sensor 15, but thathuman is not determined to be an operator. Power is supplied only tosome parts, such as the controller 11, in the state T2. Specifically, inthe state T2, power is supplied to the scanner unit 13, the printer unit14, the image processing unit 309, the HDD 308, and the CPU 301, inaddition to the devices to which power is supplied in the power-savingstate ST4. As a result, the controller 11, the scanner unit 13, and theprinter unit 14 begin to start up. However, the scanner control unit 331restricts the driving of the scanner driving unit 332, and the printercontrol unit 341 restricts the driving of the printer driving unit 342.As such, even though the startup has begun, the startup is begun in astate in which the printer driving unit 342 does not emit driving noise.

Note that according to the present embodiment, power is not supplied tothe display unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 used by theoperator at the point in time of the state T2. However, in the state T2,the power-saving button 204 is lighted or flashed in order to guide ahuman intending to use the image forming apparatus 100 to the locationthat should be operated next.

A state T3 is a state arising in the case where a user who hasapproached the image forming apparatus 100 has pressed the power-savingbutton 204, or in the case where a human within the area has beensuccessfully determined to be an operator. In the state T3, power issupplied to the display unit 201 and a screen is displayed in thedisplay unit 201. The operator presses the power-saving button 204 withthe intent of using the image forming apparatus 100, and thus in thepresent embodiment, power is supplied to the display unit 201 upon thepower-saving button 204 being pressed. Upon the power-saving button 204being pressed, the main menu screen 201 a for selecting the functions ofthe image forming apparatus 100 (copying, printing, scanning, box, fax,and so on) is displayed in the display unit 201.

A state T4 is a state arising in the case where the operator hasselected a function in the main menu screen 201 a. In the state T4,power is supplied to the areas necessary for that function to beexecuted. A case where the print icon 212 displayed in the main menuscreen 201 a has been selected will be described here. Upon the printicon 212 being selected in the main menu screen 201 a, the printercontrol unit 341 cancels the restriction on the driving of the printerdriving unit 342.

Processing Sequence

Next, a processing sequence for a series of operations in which theimage forming apparatus 100 returns from the power-saving state ST4 tothe standby state ST1 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. Theprocesses indicated in the flowchart of FIG. 11 are realized by themicrocomputer 203 of the console unit 12 executing programs.

First, the image forming apparatus 100 stands by in the power-savingstate ST4. In S101, the microcomputer 203 determines whether there is ahuman present in the detection area A1 of the ultrasonic sensor 15, andin the case where a human is present, whether or not that human is apasserby. Specifically, the microcomputer 203 receives a signal outputin the case where the ultrasonic sensor 15 has detected a human, anddetermines that a human has entered the detection area A1 of theultrasonic sensor 15. However, a human is not determined to have enteredin the case where the human moved away immediately after being detected,or was only successfully detected for a short period (S101: no).

On the other hand, in the case where a human has been determined to bepresent in the detection area A1 of the ultrasonic sensor 15, theprocess moves to S102, where the microcomputer 203 instructs the powercontrol unit 304 to supply power to the CPU 301, the HDD 308, the imageprocessing unit 309, the printer unit 14, and the scanner unit 13.Specifically, the power control unit 304 detects that the signal Q haschanged to hi level. Then, the power control unit 304 controls the logicof the signals C, D, E, F, G, H, and I such that power is supplied tothe CPU 301, the HDD 308, the image processing unit 309, the printerunit 14, and the scanner unit 13. The CPU 301, the HDD 308, the imageprocessing unit 309, the printer unit 14, and the scanner unit 13 towhich power is supplied begin to start up. Note that power is notsupplied to the display unit 201 at this point in time. Furthermore, thedriving of the printer driving unit 342 and the scanner driving unit 332is restricted at this point in time, and thus driving noise from theprinter driving unit 342 and the scanner driving unit 332 is notproduced by the aforementioned startup.

Then, in S103, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not the humanis an operator of the image forming apparatus 100, on the basis oftransitions in the distance measured each amount of time by theultrasonic sensor 15 (that is, detection results). The method of thisdetermination will be described in detail later. In the case where thehuman is successfully determined to be the operator, the process movesto S107, where the microcomputer 203 makes a screen display. However, inthe case where the human cannot be determined to be the operator, themicrocomputer 203 transitions the operating state to the low-noisereturn state, in which a screen display is not carried out.

Upon transitioning to the low-noise return state, in S104, themicrocomputer 203 determines whether or not the power-saving button 204has been pressed. The process moves to S105 in the case where the buttonhas not been pressed, but moves to S107 in the case where the button hasbeen pressed. In S105, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not apredetermined amount of time has passed without the power-saving button204 being pressed. The process moves to S106 in the case where thepredetermined amount of time has passed, but returns to S103 when suchis not the case.

In S106, the microcomputer 203 instructs the power control unit 304 tostop the supply of power to the CPU 301, the HDD 308, the imageprocessing unit 309, the printer unit 14, and the scanner unit 13, andthen ends the processing. Having received this instruction, the powercontrol unit 304 controls the logic of the signals C, D, E, F, G, H, andI such that the supply of power to the CPU 301, the HDD 308, the imageprocessing unit 309, the printer unit 14, and the scanner unit 13 isstopped. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to thepower-saving state ST4.

Meanwhile, in the case where it has been determined that thepower-saving button 204 has been pressed by the user before thepredetermined amount of time has passed, in S107, the microcomputer 203displays the main menu screen 201 a in the display unit 201. In S108,the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not the copy icon 211 hasbeen selected by the user through the main menu screen 201 a. In thecase where the icon is selected, the process moves to S109, whereas whensuch is not the case, the process moves to S110. In S109, themicrocomputer 203 cancels the restriction on the driving of the printerdriving unit 342 and the scanner driving unit 332, which are necessaryfor executing the copy function, and ends the processing. As a result,the operating state transitions to the standby state ST1, in which thecopy function can be executed.

On the other hand, in S110, the microcomputer 203 determines whether ornot the print icon 212 has been selected by the user through the mainmenu screen 201 a. In the case where the icon is selected, the processmoves to S111, whereas when such is not the case, the process moves toS112. In S111, the microcomputer 203 cancels the restriction on thedriving of the printer driving unit 342, which is necessary forexecuting the printing function, and ends the processing. As a result,the operating state transitions to the standby state ST1, in which theprinting function can be executed.

In S112, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not the scan icon213 has been selected by the user through the main menu screen 201 a. Inthe case where the icon is selected, the process moves to S113, whereaswhen such is not the case, the process returns to S104. In S113, themicrocomputer 203 cancels the restriction on the driving of the scannerdriving unit 332, which is necessary for executing the scanningfunction, and ends the processing. As a result, the operating statetransitions to the standby state ST1, in which the scanner function canbe executed.

Although an example in which the copy icon 211, the print icon 212, andthe scan icon 213 are selected in the main menu screen 201 a isdescribed here, the same applies in the case where another icon isselected. In the case where another icon has been selected, power issupplied to the functional units (for example, the fax unit or the like)necessary for executing the function corresponding to the selected icon.For example, in the case where the fax icon 215 has been selected in themain menu screen 201 a, power is supplied to the scanner unit 13, whichis necessary for sending a fax.

Human Detection

Next, a method of detecting a human located near the image formingapparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and13. FIG. 12 illustrates transitions in the distance between the imageforming apparatus 100 and the human every amount of time. Here, the wayin which the microcomputer 203 of the console unit 12 determines a humanto be a passerby or an operator of the image forming apparatus 100 onthe basis of the transitions in the distances each amount of timemeasured by the ultrasonic sensor 15, as determined in S101 and S103 ofFIG. 11, will be described. 1201 in FIG. 12 indicates the distancebetween the image forming apparatus 100 and the operator, whereas 1202indicates whether the microcomputer 203 has counted a human on the basisof distance information, a count number, and details of the humandetection determination. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, a humanis determined to have been detected in the case where the count numberis 2, and an operator is determined to have been detected in the casewhere the count number is 4.

The microcomputer 203 of the console unit 12 counts a human detectionupon it being determined that an object has been detected in thedetection area at the point in time of the state T1. The count is 2 atthe point in time of the state T2, and thus it is determined that ahuman has been detected (S101: Yes in FIG. 11). Meanwhile, the countnumber has reached 4 at the point in time of the state T4, and thus thehuman is determined to be an operator (S103: Yes in FIG. 11).

In this manner, according to the present embodiment, the determinationas to whether a human or an operator has been detected is made on thebasis of the number of times an object detection has been counted.Several examples of how the object detections are counted will bedescribed hereinafter. In the present embodiment, the image formingapparatus 100 determines a moving amount determination value inaccordance with the distance when the object is first detected. A movingamount of the human is calculated from the distances measured eachamount of time, the moving amount determination value and the movingamount of the human are compared, and a count is made in the case wherethe moving amount of the human is greater than the moving amountdetermination value. Here, “moving amount” refers to a differencebetween the distance measured the previous time and the distancemeasured the current time.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of settings for the moving amountdetermination value, made in accordance with the distance when theobject is first detected. For example, in the case where the distance is141 to 180 cm, a count is made when the moving amount is greater than orequal to 20 cm. The moving amount determination value is infinite at adistance of greater than or equal to 181 cm, and thus a setting is madesuch that a count is not made even if a human is moving. On the otherhand, in the case where the distance is 0 to 60 cm, the moving amountdetermination value is set to 0 cm. In this manner, according to thepresent embodiment, the moving amount determination value is set loweras the location where the object is first detected becomes closer to theimage forming apparatus 100. Preferably, this moving amount refers todetecting movement toward the image forming apparatus 100. This isbecause the human can be determined to be a passerby in the case wherethe moving amount is for detecting movement away from the image formingapparatus 100. Note that the numerical values indicated in FIG. 13 aremerely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Inother words, optimal values can be set in accordance with theenvironment in which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed and soon.

Setting of Moving Amount Determination Value

Next, a processing sequence through which the microcomputer 203 of theconsole unit 12 sets the moving amount determination value in accordancewith the distance when the object is first detected will be describedwith reference to FIG. 14. The processes indicated in the flowchart ofFIG. 14 are realized by the microcomputer 203 of the console unit 12executing programs.

In S1401, the microcomputer 203 first determines whether or not thedistance to the object can be measured. The process ends in the casewhere the distance cannot be confirmed, but advances to S1402 in thecase where the distance can be confirmed. In S1402, to set the movingamount determination value in accordance with the distance, themicrocomputer 203 first determines whether or not the distance is 0 to60 cm. In the case where the distance is 0 to 60 cm, the process movesto S1403, whereas when such is not the case, the process moves to S1404.In S1403, the microcomputer 203 sets the moving amount determinationvalue to 0 cm.

Meanwhile, in S1404, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not thedistance is 61 to 100 cm. In the case where the distance is 61 to 100cm, the process moves to S1405, whereas when such is not the case, theprocess moves to S1406. In S1405, the microcomputer 203 sets the movingamount determination value to 5 cm. Meanwhile, in S1406, themicrocomputer 203 determines whether or not the distance is 101 to 140cm. In the case where the distance is 101 to 140 cm, the process movesto S1407, whereas when such is not the case, the process moves to S1408.In S1407, the microcomputer 203 sets the moving amount determinationvalue to 10 cm.

Meanwhile, in S1408, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not thedistance is 141 to 180 cm. In the case where the distance is 141 to 180cm, the process moves to S1409, whereas when such is not the case, theprocess moves to S1410. In S1409, the microcomputer 203 sets the movingamount determination value to 20 cm. On the other hand, in S1410, themicrocomputer 203 determines that the distance is greater than or equalto 181 cm, sets the moving amount determination value to infinite,carries out control such that a human is substantially not detected evenif the human is moving, and ends the processing.

Count Determination

Next, a processing sequence for counting in response to a human beingdetected by the microcomputer 203 of the console unit 12 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 15. The processes indicated in theflowchart of FIG. 15 are realized by the microcomputer 203 of theconsole unit 12 executing programs. The microcomputer 203 holds a valueM (a first value) for detecting a human and a value N (a second value)for detecting an operator as threshold count values. The thresholds maybe held in a memory or the like of the microcomputer 203, andfurthermore, a counter variable for making the count may be provided asa flag.

First, in S1501, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not themoving amount of the human is greater than or equal to the set movingamount determination value. If the moving amount is lower than thedetermination value, the process moves to S1507, where the microcomputer203 sets the count variable to 0 and ends the processing. On the otherhand, if the moving amount is greater than or equal to the determinationvalue, the process moves to S1502, where the microcomputer 203increments the counter variable. Here, “incrementing” means adding 1 tothe counter variable.

Next, in S1503, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not thevalue of the counter variable is greater than or equal to the thresholdM for detecting a human. In the case where the value is greater than orequal to M, the process moves to S1504, whereas when such is not thecase, the process ends. In S1504, the microcomputer 203 transitions thepower mode from the power-saving state ST4 to the low-noise return stateST3. Next, in S1505, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not thevalue of the counter variable is greater than or equal to the thresholdN for detecting an operator. In the case where the value is greater thanor equal to N, the process moves to S1506, whereas when such is not thecase, the process ends. The microcomputer 203 transitions the power modefrom the low-noise return state ST3 to the display unit return state ST2in S1506, resets the counter variable to 0 in S1507, and ends theprocessing.

As described thus far, according to the present embodiment, the distancebetween the image forming apparatus and an object located in theperiphery of the image forming apparatus is measured each predeterminedamount of time. Then, whether or not the object is a human is detectedon the basis of the measured distance and a moving amount of the objecteach predetermined amount of time. Furthermore, the image formingapparatus controls the power supply state of the image forming apparatusin accordance with the result of the human detection. In this manner,the image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) accordingto the present embodiment sets the moving amount determination value forcounting the human detections in accordance with the distance firstmeasured for the object. The moving amount determination value is set tobe high in places far from the image forming apparatus 100, and low inplaces close to the image forming apparatus 100. This is because when ahuman far from the image forming apparatus 100 is detected, a humanintending to use the image forming apparatus 100 will be walking towardthe image forming apparatus 100, and thus the human can be counted evenif the moving amount determination value is set higher. On the otherhand, if the moving amount determination value is set to be low for ahuman far from the image forming apparatus 100, the count number willincrease and a problem in which the number of erroneous returnsincreases will arise. By employing the above-described configuration,the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment canchange the conditions for detecting that a human has approached theapparatus in accordance with the distance between the human and theapparatus, which makes it possible to reduce erroneous returns from thepower-saving state caused by the erroneous detection of humans.

Here, counting operations performed by the microcomputer 203 using acase in which a human actually approaches as an example will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 16. T0 to T7 indicate the passage oftime, with time progressing from T0 to T7. 1601 indicates the distancefrom an object measured at each of the times T0 to T7 (measurementvalues), along with moving amounts and whether or not countingoperations are carried out. Note that the “moving amount” indicates adifference between the measured values from one time previous and thecurrent time. For example, the moving amount at T2 is a value obtainedby subtracting the measured value at T2 (142 cm) from the measured valueat T1 (179 cm) (for a difference of 37 cm).

At time T0, no human is detected, and the measurement value is infinite.At time T1, 179 cm is measured. Because 179 cm is the distance that wasfirst measured successfully, the moving amount determination value isset to 20 cm, as per FIG. 13. 179 cm is measured at T1 and 142 cm ismeasured at T2, and thus the T1-T2 moving amount is 37 cm. Because 37 cmis greater than 20 cm, a human is considered to have been detected, andthus a count is made. On the other hand, the T4-T5 moving amount is 19cm, which is less than 20 cm, and thus a human is not successfullycounted. In 1601, a count is made at T2, T3, and T4. Accordingly, in theexample illustrated in FIG. 16, the count number is 3. As such, theimage forming apparatus 100 determines that the detected object is ahuman, and transitions from the power-saving state ST4 to the low-noisereturn state ST3.

Next, another case in which a human approaches the image formingapparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 17. As indicatedby 1701, the microcomputer 203 measures 179 cm at time T1, and thus themoving amount determination value is set to 20 cm. The moving amount ofthe human for T1-T2 is 12 cm, which is less than 20 cm. Thus a human isnot considered to be detected, and a count is not made. Likewise, themoving amount is less than 20 cm for T2-T4. Thus a human is notconsidered to be detected, and a count is not made. Thus the countnumber is 0 in the example illustrated in FIG. 17. As such, the imageforming apparatus 100 determines that the detected object (human) is apassing human, and maintains the power-saving state ST4.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. In the foregoing embodiment, the moving amount determinationvalue is set in accordance with the first distance to the object that isdetected. However, in the present embodiment, control is carried outsuch that the moving amount determination value is changed each time inaccordance with the distance measured in each amount of time. In otherwords, the processing indicated in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is executedeach time the distance to the object is successfully measured.

A processing sequence for counting in response to a human being detectedby the microcomputer 203 of the console unit 12 will be described withreference to FIG. 18. The processes indicated in the flowchart of FIG.18 are realized by the microcomputer 203 of the console unit 12executing programs. The microcomputer 203 holds the value M fordetecting a human and the value N for detecting an operator as thresholdcount values. The thresholds may be held in a memory or the like of themicrocomputer 203, and furthermore, a counter variable for making thecount may be provided as a flag.

First, in S1801, the microcomputer 203 sets the moving amountdetermination value as indicated in FIG. 14. The subsequent processesfrom S1802 to S1808 are the same as the processes of S1501 to S1507 inFIG. 15, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted. According to thepresent embodiment, the moving amount determination value is set eachtime in accordance with the distance between the image forming apparatus100 and the human. Thus more detailed count-based determinations can bemade, and the problem of erroneous returns and the like arising can befurther reduced.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. The present embodiment describes a method for changing asensitivity of the human detection in accordance with a user input.Here, a case where the sensitivity for detecting a human has threelevels, namely “low”, “medium”, and “high”, will be described as anexample.

First, a human detection setting menu 201c displayed in the display unit201 will be described with reference to FIG. 19. The human detectionsetting menu 201 c includes a button 219 for turning human detection on,a button 220 for turning human detection off, and a human detectionsensitivity setting menu 221. Buttons that enable sensitivities to beselected, namely low sensitivity 222, medium sensitivity 223, and highsensitivity 224, are displayed in the human detection sensitivitysetting menu 221. The user can adjust the sensitivity of human detectionby manipulating the buttons 222 to 224.

Next, parameters (a table) held by the microcomputer 203 in accordancewith the sensitivities will be described with reference to FIG. 20. Themoving amount determination value based on the distance is defined foreach of sensitivities in a table 2000. In the example indicated by thetable 2000, the moving amount determination value is set to 0 cm for allsensitivities when the distance is 0 to 60 cm. Comparing the movingamount determination values for the distance of 61 to 100 cm on thebasis of the sensitivities, a value of 5 cm is used for low sensitivity,3 cm is used for medium sensitivity, and 2 cm is used for highsensitivity. The values are thus defined such that as the sensitivityincreases, even low amounts of human movement can be counted.

The table 2000 also defines the human detection threshold M and theoperator detection threshold N, which are set as count values, for eachof the sensitivities. The thresholds N and M are both set such that thecount number is higher as the sensitivity decreases. This is a measuretaken to reduce the erroneous detection of humans.

Next, a processing sequence for changing the sensitivity will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 21. The processes indicated in theflowchart of FIG. 21 are realized by the microcomputer 203 of theconsole unit 12 executing programs.

First, in S2101, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not thesensitivity has been changed through the human detection setting menu201 c. In the case where the sensitivity has been changed, the processmoves to S2102, whereas when such is not the case, the process ends. InS2102, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not the setsensitivity is low sensitivity. In the case where the sensitivity is lowsensitivity, the process moves to S2103, whereas when such is not thecase, the process moves to S2104. In S2103, the microcomputer 203determines that the sensitivity is low sensitivity, sets the valuecorresponding to the low sensitivity by referring to the table 2000, andends the process.

Meanwhile, in S2104, the microcomputer 203 determines whether or not theset sensitivity is medium sensitivity. In the case where the sensitivityis medium sensitivity, the process moves to S2105, whereas when such isnot the case, the process moves to S2106. In S2105, the microcomputer203 sets the value corresponding to medium sensitivity by referring tothe table 2000, and ends the process. Meanwhile, in S2106, themicrocomputer 203 sets the value corresponding to high sensitivity byreferring to the table 2000, and ends the process.

As described thus far, according to the present embodiment, thesensitivity of the human detection can be set to the user's desiredsensitivity. As a result, the sensitivity of the human detection can bechanged in accordance with the installation environment of the imageforming apparatus 100 or the like, which makes it possible to furtherreduce erroneous returns caused by the erroneous detection of a human.

Other Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computerof a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executableinstructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium(which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one ormore of the above-described embodiments and/or that includes one or morecircuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) forperforming the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiments, and by a method performed by the computer of the system orapparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computerexecutable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functionsof one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or controlling theone or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiments. The computer may comprise one or moreprocessors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit(MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separateprocessors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions.The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer,for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage mediummay include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-accessmemory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributedcomputing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digitalversatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, amemory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2016-150552 filed on Jul. 29, 2016, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus having aplurality of power states including at least a first power state inwhich a supply of power to a device is stopped and a second power statein which power is supplied to the device, the apparatus comprising: ahuman detecting sensor; an interface configured to set a sensitivity ofthe human detecting sensor; a controller configured to (1) output, basedon output of the human detecting sensor, first information correspondingto a distance between the human detection sensor and a human, and (2)output, based on output of the human detecting sensor, secondinformation corresponding to a moving amount of a human; and a powercontroller configured to shift a power state of the informationprocessing apparatus to the second power state from the first powerstate if the second information is greater than a second predeterminedvalue and if the first information is greater than a first predeterminedvalue, in a case where a first sensitivity is set by the interface,wherein the power controller does not shift the information processingapparatus to the second power state from the first power state if thefirst information is greater than the first predetermined value, in acase where a second sensitivity is set by the interface.
 2. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstsensitivity of the human detecting sensor is higher than the secondsensitivity of the human detecting sensor.
 3. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface is configured tochange the sensitivity of the human detecting sensor in accordance witha user input.
 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the human detecting sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.
 5. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powercontroller shifts the power state of the information processingapparatus to the second power state from the first power state if thefirst information is smaller than a third predetermined value which issmaller than the first predetermined value.
 6. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the power controllershifts the power state of the information processing apparatus to thesecond power state from the first power state if the first informationis smaller than a third predetermined value which is smaller than thefirst predetermined value regardless of the sensitivity of the humandetecting sensor.
 7. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the power controller shifts the power state of theinformation processing apparatus to the second power state from thefirst power state if the first information is smaller than a thirdpredetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined valueand if the second information is smaller than the second predeterminedvalue.
 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the second predetermined value increases as the firstinformation increases.
 9. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising a printing unit configured to print animage on a media.
 10. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a scanning unit configured to scan an imageon a document.
 11. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a display configured to display a screen forsetting the sensitivity of the human detecting sensor.
 12. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstinformation indicates the distance between the human detection sensorand a human.
 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the second information indicates the moving amount of ahuman.
 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the controller outputs the second information based on aplurality of the first information output at a predetermined interval.15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe power controller does not shift the information processing apparatusto the second power state from the first power state if the secondinformation is greater than a second predetermined value.
 16. A controlmethod of an information processing apparatus having a plurality ofpower states, including at least a first power state in which a supplyof power to a device is stopped and a second power state in which poweris supplied to the device, and including a human detecting sensor, themethod comprising: setting a sensitivity of the human detecting sensor;(1) outputting, based on output of the human detecting sensor, firstinformation corresponding to a distance between the human detectionsensor and a human, and (2) outputting, based on output of the humandetecting sensor, second information corresponding to a moving amount ofa human; shifting the information processing apparatus to the secondpower state from the first power state if the second information isgreater than a second predetermined value and if the first informationis greater than a first predetermined value, in a case where a firstsensitivity is set; and if the first information is greater than thefirst predetermined value, not shifting the information processingapparatus to the second power state from the first power state in a casewhere a second sensitivity is set.
 17. The control method according toclaim 16, further comprising: shifting the power state of theinformation processing apparatus to the second power state from thefirst power state if the first information is smaller than a thirdpredetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined valueregardless of the sensitivity of the human detecting sensor.
 18. Thecontrol method according to claim 16, further comprising: outputting thesecond information based on a plurality of the first information outputat a predetermined interval.
 19. The control method according to claim16, further comprising: not shifting the information processingapparatus to the second power state from the first power state if thesecond information is greater than a second predetermined value.
 20. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesecond predetermined value is changed according to the firstinformation.